Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1887-06-10
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, May q, !

merly opened and has been passed
through various vicissitudes, already.
1t has been visited by terrific rain
storms on several evenings, accom-
panied by cyclones which forebore to
perform any more serious antics than
the smashing up of the apparatus con.
nected with the Pyorama, the carrying
away of tents and their contents from
the camp ground, the unroofing of the
spectators grand stand, and many
others of similar character.
Despite all these Encouragement the
Drill is still progressing in a fairly
creditable manner Every morning
the Pyorama and the soldiers and
the spectators come up smiling for
the programme of the day, as if
there was nothing serious about cy-
clone, and the spectacle proceeds.
The city is so full of soldiers and
strangers that one is forcibly re.
minded of Inauguration times. Bands
play, bugles call, the shrill fife is heard
and bruins beat all day long. The
lively men are doing a rushing busi-
ness and making the streets as lively
as possible. Carriages, landaus, herd.
les, cabs, tandem teams, jaggers, bug
gies, in short, every available convey
ance is in demand by the visiting
sightseers. The bicycle and tricycle.
depots too are entirely bereft of ma
chimes, many of the soldier boys tax
ing advantage of this method of loco
motion while sojourning in the wheel
mans paradise. They are perfectly
enthused with its miles and miles of
broad asphalt pavement where never
so much as gravel comes in contact
with their wheels.
The most brilliant day of the Drill
was Wednesday, when the troops in
full dress parade were reviewed by the
President. The people turned out en-
masse and literally overfowed the
streets along the line of march. Busi-
ness was temporarily suspended along
the route and business people joined
the throng Of sightseers. The Presi-
dent occupied q flag-draped stand
erected on Pennsylvania avenue in
front of the White House, and he
was surrounded by the Governors Of
several States with their staffs, some
of the Cabinet officers, and few other
prominent people. General Sheridan
was there, also Mrs. Cleveland, who
was, as usual the cynosure of all eyes.
General Augur, the Commandant OF
the camp, rode at the head Of the pro-
cession, surrounded by his staff, all
mounted, and received marked reeog-
milton from the stand. The Stuart
Horse Guards, of Richmond, came
next, at the head of the Virginia
brigade, Governor Lee was proud oi
the showing made by his State, and
from his place on the stand applauded
the soldiers heartily. Most Of the uni
forms were resplendent, while the
Commandant wore a suit of dark blue
with black cord trimmings and plain
white hemlet. Not a private soldier
in the parade had uniform half 80
plain and simple as his.
While the marching was for the
most part good, there invaribly ap.
peared a waver in the line just when
the soldiers passed the Presidential
stand and would have liked to show to
the best advantage. This was attribu.
ted to the desire of the men to get q
good look at the President and his
pretty wife about whom they have
had heard so much. Many q side
glance was cast up into the grand
stand at the expense OF good form. II
became necessary to change the style
of march, and several halts were made
in consequence. Each time the order
Parade rest," was given, the soldiers
in the vicinity of the stand turned
about and kept their eyes fixed upon
the Presidential party until they were
ordered to march again.
The services Of the camp hospital
have been in constant command since
the beginning of the Encampment
Every day dozens of the lads-far from
home-need treatment, prescriptions
and nursing of some kind. Thus far
most of the patients who have been
brought in have been overcome by the
heat when on parade. These amateur
warriors are unused to military hard
ships, and guard duty at night in the
rain lie an experience new to most ol
them.
The hospital is in charge of the Red
Cross Society, and Miss Clara Barton
its President, is the presiding genius
of the place. Just as the Command
ants flag was raised at headquarters
on opening day, flags of various Eur
opean nations were hoisted at the
same time by the Red Cross people, in
addition to their especial flag. These
flags were presented to Miss Barton
at different times by various European
sovereigns, in recognition of services
on the battle field and in camp, in car
ing for the sick and wounded. She ID
proud of her collection of national
flags which she regards as the finest
' in this country and which being di'